The Pollution Control Board (PCB) of Assam directed Oil India Limited (OIL) to close its production as well as drilling operations in the Baghjan oil field with immediate effect.
The PCB further directed the OIL to initiate measures to douse the fire and cap gas leakage.
In a closure notice issued to OIL, the PCB said that the regular annual report was not submitted seriously, violating the law, and it was liable to be punished under the law in force.
“The PCB refused the OIL’s request for extension of time for reply to the show-cause notice issued to the company on June 10,” said a PCB official.
“OIL nonchalantly violated the provisions of law in force, causing pollution to the environment,” the official added.
The official further informed that exercising the powers conferred upon PCB, the board under the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, directed OIL to close down all production as well as drilling operations of all installations in Baghjan oil field immediately.